Access being negotiated for Pheeny’s Island plan in Norton

Connecticut businessman and developer Ken Leavitt said he has spoken with the town so he can lease land located at 237 Mansfield Ave., that will provide boat access to Pheeny’s Island on the Norton Reservoir.

Connecticut businessman and developer Ken Leavitt said he has spoken with the town so he can lease land located at 237 Mansfield Ave., that will provide boat access to Pheeny’s Island on the Norton Reservoir.

Leavitt wants to build an aerial ropes park on the island that will contain a demonstration course, a children’s course and five different treetop courses of obstacles of varying degrees of difficulty that include zip lines.

Town Manager Michael Yunits said that yes, Leavitt has expressed an interest, but needs to prepare a request for proposal (RFP). Then he can approach the town to investigate the possibility of leasing the property.

Originally Leavitt was looking to gain access to the island from a parking lot in Mansfield.

“We rejected that idea,” Leavitt said. “We want to keep it all in Norton.”

Leavitt said the lease would provide additional income for the town, using land the he said was underutilized.

The Norton Parks and Recreation building is located at 237 Mansfield Ave. and the Norton Kayak Company, owned by David Lennon, currently uses the site to gain access to reservoir.

In order to use the property, Norton Kayak Company has a seasonal lease with the board of selectmen, Lennon said.

“Part of our payment is to provide a spring and fall tour. Money from these two tours go to the Norton Parks and Rec,” he said.

Lennon said he also has a license agreement with the conservation commission to use the reservoir for business purposes.

“We do not pay for access to use the reservoir but we need this agreement to use the conservation land,” Lennon said.

Leavitt said he is exploring other properties in Norton but likes the one located at 237 Mansfield Ave. the best.

“It’s a beautiful spot,” he said and added it provides the most direct route to Pheeny’s Island.

This past February, more than 100 residents attended the conservation commission meeting when Leavitt pitched his proposal for the ropes course project.

Many said they were concerned about disrupting the wildlife that live on and use the island. An article that appeared on last fall’s Town Meeting warrant, was submitted by the Friends of Pheeny’s Island, and asked voters to approve spending $149,900 of free cash to purchase the island. In doing so the town would then be responsible for the property.

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The article failed.

Despite the early opposition and delay in locating an area on the mainland, that will provide boat access to the island, Leavitt said he looks forward to moving ahead with the project.

“We’ve received a lot of enthusiasm from people in the community,” he said.

In particular, Leavitt said, Boston area colleges, including Wheaton, have approached him about sending groups of students to participate in the ropes course to enhance team-building skills.

“The course is designed to have people go beyond their self-imposed limitations,” he said. “It allows people to break out and do things they didn’t think they could do.”

Leavitt said the ropes course also provides participants an opportunity to be in an environment where they can appreciate nature while getting exercise.

“It’s very good for physical fitness,” he said, “and you can’t beat sitting in the trees.”

Once a lease agreement has been finalized, that allows Leavitt boat access to the island, he said he will move forward with the construction and operation of the facility.